Molecular Identification of Porphyromonas gingivalis in Clinical Dentistry

Abstract

Background: Porphyromonas gingivalis is a major periodontal pathogen associated with chronic periodontitis and various systemic diseases. Accurate identification is critically important for diagnosis and treatment decisions. Objective: The aims of the present study were to evaluate the molecular techniques for the detection of P. gingivalis in dental clinical samples and to compare these methods with conventional culture techniques.

Methods: Subgingival plaque samples were collected from 80 participants with varied severity degree of periodontitis, during 2024 at two dental clinics at Thi-Qar province/Iraq. The samples were cultured and identified using the standard culture procedure, followed by molecular analysis based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique of the 16S rRNA.

Results: PCR testing revealed the prevalence of P. gingivalis to be 73.8%, whereas it was detected through culture in only 45%.

Conclusions: The results revealed that PCR is more specific and sensitive than culture for the detection of P. gingivalis. Such approaches contribute much for clinical diagnostic in management of treatment of periodontal disease.

Keywords:

Porphyromonas gingivalis, Oral Microbiology, PCR, Clinical Dentistry, Periodontitis

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